Station Art:

White Rock Station, opened on September 24, 2001 on the Northeast light rail extension, features a miniature spillway filled with greenery inspired by the lake itself. The station's attractive blue and green color scheme and natural-looking landscape designs adorn the boarding area and the parking lot.

Neighborhood representatives are always involved in deciding the design of DART light rail stations. No one knows their community better than local residents and civic groups. "We were glad we could incorporate the history of the area into White Rock Station," said Cliff Franklin, a community volunteer on the Art & Design Committee for the station. "We're also excited about having the light rail line so close by."

Franklin said many ideas about the location and layout of the station had to be decided before construction could begin. "Committee members were happy to help come up with the design theme for the station, and also contribute to the layout," he said. "We think the stairway leading to Northwest Highway east of the light rail bridge is essential to providing easy access to the train for pedestrians."

Artist worked with community on station design
Philip Lamb, the design artist of White Rock Lake Station, also appreciates the historical design theme proposed by the committee. The three major artistic ideas involve the cornucopia covering the walkway, the spillway of greenery and the cap of the retaining wall.

"The cornucopia covering the walkway is reflective of the history of the lake," said Lamb. "The blue arches will be covered by green vines and it will open up with a larger opening toward the platform."

The spillway of lush greenery runs parallel to the boarding platform, allowing the area just in front of the platform to be a green oasis. "This plant life surrounding the platform enhances the feeling of stepping into a rich, natural environment," said Lamb. The cap of the retaining wall can't be seen from the platform, but rather faces Northwest Highway in a cascade of earth-tone blocks with pockets for plants between the stones.

Other small references to the history of White Rock Lake could go unnoticed to the untrained eye. "The columns on the platform are based on a 1930s boathouse on the lake, and the soft blue hue was a color used for early houses in the area to prevent wasps from forming nests on the eves," Lamb explained.